Rat trap



J. KILCHAR Nov. 11

RAT TRAP Filed ADril 4, 1922 @Tagfl/igcjzaz? INVENToR.

I VATTORNEY;

Petcnted Nov. ll, 1924,

JACOB KILCHAR, OF WAY'LAND3 IO'WA.

nett 'ra-AP.

Application filed Apri' 4,

To aZZ 'whom 'lt may concern:

Be it known that I, Jaoon Kupitan, a citizen of the United States,residing at T`Way'- land, in the county of Henry and State of Iowa, haveinvented certain new and useful Innfn'ovements in Rat Traps, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a trap and more particularly to the class ofdevices, known as animal traps for use in catching mice, rats and otheranimals.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a trap or deviceof this character, wherein the construction thereof is novel in form, sothat animals to be trapped will be entieed into an enclosure and onentrance Will bc automatically dropped into a container for imprisonmentor conlinement, the container being of a construction to permit thecatching and holding therein in succession, a number of such animals..V

Another object of the invention is the provision of a trap or device ofthis character, wherein the mechanism thcreof is automatic in itsaction, so that after the trapping of one or more animals forconfinement therein, the trap mechanism thereof will automatically resetfor the further working of the trap or device.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a trap ordevice of this character, being` simple in construction readily portableso that same can bc placed at any desirable location, strong, durable,thoroughly reliable and efficient in its purpose and inexpensive ton'ianufacture.

VVith these and other objects .in view, the invention consists in thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as willbe hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and pointed out in the claim hereunto appended.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a vertical, longitudinalsectional view through a trap or device, constructed in accordance withthe invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse sectional View taken approximatelymedially of the tmp- Similar reference characters indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views in the drawings.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the trap or device comprises a mainbody 5 constitutins a tmrpies compartment,, pret 1922. serial Ne.549,433.

erably in the form of a rectangular box, in this instance made fromsheet metal, although the same may be made from any other suitablematerial, and at one end is formed with an inclined wall 6, while itsopposite end is opened and normally closed by means of a vertieallyswinging door 7, supported upon hinges 8 and held in closed positionthrough the medium of a hasp 9 carried by the bottom of the body 5 whichis adapted to detachably engage a lreeper 10 carried by the door 7, saidkeeper being designed to receive a look or other fastening element. Onthe opening of the door 7 free access can be had to the interior of thebody 5 for the removal of animals confined therein.

Formed in the top of the body 5, longitudinally thercof and centrally ofthe same is a rectangular opening 11, while fastened in any suitablemanner, marginally of said opening upon the inner face of the top anddepending therefrom within the body 5 is a vertical chute 12, throughwhich pass animals when precipitated through the opening 11 in the topof the body.

Near opposite 4ends of this chute, close to the opening 11 are journaledhorizontal transversely disposed pintles 13 on which are hinged opposeddumping or tilting platforms 14:, each being provided with a bar 15formed of an inner and outer portion disposed at an inclination withrespect to each other, lthe inner portion being of less length than theouter portion and secured to the lower face of the platform and theouter portion projectingV through a slot 16 formed in the end wall andadjacent thereto of the chute 12, and having pivotally connected to thefree end a pendant weight 17 which serves to normally hold the platformin position as is clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. These weights17 will permit the said platforms to lower when the weight of an animalis imposed against the same and drop said animal into the body 5 forconfinement therein. The weights 17 on the outer portion of the bar 15supported by the platforms 14 are disposed outside the chute 12 withinthe body 5 at opposite ends thereof.

Rising from the top of the body 5 over the opening 11 therein is a baittower 18, Which is open at one end next to the inelined end wall 6 ofthe body 5 and at one side thereof, while extended laterally from saidtower at its sides in super-imposed relation to the top of the body areledges 139 having upturned or flanged .edges20- These ledges 19 are'formed integral With the Walls of the` tower andconstitute a treadWayfor animals enticed into the tower 18 to be trapped Within the body 5.

The tower 18 is of the same length as the formed across the rear of thetower by turn-' ing lin and upwardly the lower edge 'of the end Wall,and :has its bottom in substantially the same plane las the top of saidtrap body.

-On the' inclined end Wall 6 of the body 5 at a suitable .height isb ashelf 23 Constitutin-gla step for animals to permit the same to 'morereadi-ly ascend from the ground lor foundation to the top ofthe body 5on to Jthe ledges 19 as' Will be clearly apparent.

It Will be seen that When the bait is placed Within the bait trough 22and the trap or device is positioned upon the ground or foundation,animals Will be attracted by such bait and on enteri-n'g the tower 18jnecessarily have to tread upon lthe platform 14 to gain access to thebait rand When ltreading upon these platforms, the latter Will lowerWith rapidity against :the resistance of the Weights 17 dropping theanimal Within the body 5 for -con'finement therein., The instafnt theWeight of the animal is relieved from the platforms, the Weights 1-7vcause theautomatic closing of the platforms and thereby preventing theexit of such animal through the opening 11 in the top of the body 5 and.thus the positive entrapping of the animal Within the trap or device.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and manner ofoperation of the device or trap Will be clearly understood, and, Itherefore,V a more extended explanation has been omitted. I

l-fhat is claimed is I A trap comprising a trapping compartment havingits top formed With a rectangular opening, a rectangular chutedependingl in the compartment and registering With the opening, saidchute having a vertical slot in the front andrear Wall thereof7 a .pairof oppositely disposed platform members arranged Within the chute, meansfor hinging one end of each of said members to the side Walls of thechute in close proximity to :and above one of the Vertical slots, a pairof bars each formed of an inner vand outerportion disposed at aninclination With respect to each other,V the inner portion of each barVbeing of less length than the outer portion and secured'to the low-erface of one of said members, the outer portion extending through one ofthe Vertical slots and projecting from the chute, and a Weightpivotal'ly suspended from the outer end of each outer portion. l

March 25, 1922.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature her-oto. s

JACOB KILCHAR.

